KEVIN Rudd's support for gay marriage is annoying tradies in the outer suburbs, with the issue more likely to play badly in areas with higher unemployment, a social researcher says.

About one in 12 voters, or 1.7 million people, live in a marginal seat held by less than two per cent.

Of those 18 electorates, 14 are in the middle and outer suburbs of a state capital.

Sydney's west, Melbourne's east and outer Brisbane are the key battlegrounds, where dual-income mum-and-dad couples are more concerned about paying off a mortgage than matrimonial equality.

Social researcher Mark McCrindle says tradies in high unemployment areas are more likely to see this issue as a distraction, which could hurt Labor in a seat like Forde, south of Brisbane, where former Queensland premier Peter Beattie is running.

"It symbolises all that they don't like about the government - that is, distracted into symbolism and not governing on the issues that make a difference to them," he said.

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Comments on this story

Mattman of Poorth Posted at 12:39 AM August 15, 2013

'33714 same sex couples'... Im guessing thats only the ones that are "reported" that number would grow by quite a lot if the 'same sex/LGBTI' issue wasnt so taboo! only one way we'll get to that stage!!!! CHANGE!!!

Comment 1 of 20

Angry_Of_Mayfair Posted at 1:08 AM August 15, 2013

I fail to see how my desire to marry the man I've loved for a decade is any of their damn business, particularly given the number of married trades I've met over the years who sneak off from their wives to have sex with other men. Pot! Kettle!

Comment 2 of 20

straight tradesman Posted at 1:30 AM August 15, 2013

To hell with what they think. This is beyond just an election promise. This is a basic human right. No govt. Should stand in the way and definitely not some small minded twat in the outer suburbs. Seriously, this shouldn't be a consideration of what a straight person thinks in their armchair and how they will tell his kids about it. In honesty they aren't discussing the issue in their house at all. They a bigots just hating for hating sake. To point out a fact, I am straight and a tradie. Don't drag us all into this mess. Say who it really is. Wankers who hate people they don't even know. They can vote one nation and let the rest of us make the plans to help Australia.

Comment 3 of 20

Lisa of not back yet Posted at 1:39 AM August 15, 2013

I really don't see the issue. Just vote on it and move on. It's not the only item listed. And if it's a 'distraction' to someone, then move on and look at the other issues.

Comment 4 of 20

Hubbard of Australia Posted at 1:46 AM August 15, 2013

So what? Gay marriage does not appeal to most people. That doesn't mean that the majority ought to deny something they will never need to those to whom it would mean a lot.
Democracy is not only about majority rule, which by itself just leads to the tyranny of the majority over all minorities.
An enlightened democracy is also about human rights of minority groups, something that is not important to religious or secular dictatorships.

Comment 5 of 20

PeterinSydney of Sydney Posted at 5:53 AM August 15, 2013

Plenty of tradies from Sydney's west go on the social meeting sites and go to various sex sites around Sydney. So it might be wrong to make blanket assumptions about such groups of the community.

Comment 6 of 20

Upset jack Posted at 6:15 AM August 15, 2013

Rudd doesn't really support Gay marriage at all. All he said was he'd have a conscience vote, however am positive he will vote NO. It's all lies and spin with Labor!!!

Comment 7 of 20

couldn't care less of melbourne Posted at 6:18 AM August 15, 2013

This election has had little mention of cost of living and what not. Quite frankly I don't believe in being gay, and from religious aspect I strongly oppose it. But if we can have an athiest prime minister then who is Australia to say no? Everything is debated till it is accepted so save the time and money and just accept it. After gays it'll be something else. However, I don't care about whole marriage thing and I haven't heard much about issues like living, health etc etc etc. Politics. A whole load of rubbish.

Comment 8 of 20

What the of Werro Posted at 6:26 AM August 15, 2013

Like Abbott said, this is a fashionable policy. I could careless about gay marriage. What I do care about is getting a government that is more on commitment than fashion sense. A government that is about us and not me. Commando Kevvy needs to have a long hard look at himself. Imagine talking war stories with our groups to try to gain a few votes. What next? A visit to Oxford St in Sydney to compare boy bands?

Comment 9 of 20

Julia Dee of Qld Posted at 6:27 AM August 15, 2013

Not only tradies! Lots of seniors too, and we also vote!

Comment 10 of 20

TJ Posted at 6:29 AM August 15, 2013

Why is this even a political party policy? Call a referendum, let the people decide. Fwiw, I'm a guy, straight, and married. I'm just sick of hearing about it like everyone wants it, but no one wants to actually implement it.

Comment 11 of 20

Peter of Brisbane Posted at 6:30 AM August 15, 2013

Not just tradies but most of us Australians that aren't queer are sick of the minority groups and media are forcing this topic. It just shows how labour has lost the working mans values and itstead of focusing on the important issues of running this once great country.
He's lost my vote and the vote from a lot of other decent Australian's.

Comment 12 of 20

Get over it! of Gold Coast Posted at 6:31 AM August 15, 2013

Ridiculous! Don't want gay marriage? Don't marry a person of the same-sex! People need to understand that this topic won't keep them up at night worrying. It's progression. What would be interesting to know; is how many of those 'tradies' are gay! If anything, think of the small business boom. Florists, venue hire, contractors etc - in all; a good thing.

Comment 13 of 20

Mick of Wagga Posted at 6:33 AM August 15, 2013

Talk to anyone between 18-25 years and you will see that for the majority of them this is the ONLY issue of importance in this election.
Basically they see the major parties as being identical in all ways except for this issue.
And the vast majority of that demographic will vote according to their views on this issue. Is no surprise that the majority overwhelmingly support gay marriage.

Comment 14 of 20

John of Gold Coast Posted at 6:33 AM August 15, 2013

I can honestly say everyone I know doesn't care if gays choose to have a union or not, what they do object to is if the word marriage is used.

Comment 15 of 20

GAYisOKAY Posted at 6:33 AM August 15, 2013

I'm a tradesman myself and wether or not a gay, lesbian, transgender or straight couple get married makes no difference to me whatsoever and why should it? People's relationships are none of other people's business to begin with. I cannot understand why the vast majority of the people who oppose this issue are those who would be completely and utterly unaffected by the legislation change. I have a few friends who are either gay or lesbian, who am I to say that they are not permitted to have their relationship solidified by marriage? It goes back to the question, if a tree falls in the woods and no ones around to hear it, does it still make a sound?

Comment 16 of 20

Tradie of Sydney Posted at 6:46 AM August 15, 2013

What about the gay tradies, plenty of them around. Another case of stupid reporting believing everyone because they live in a particular place or have a particular job are all the same.

Comment 17 of 20

Annette of Brisbane Posted at 6:57 AM August 15, 2013

My tradies love to take my money so perhaps they need to develop their red neck Queensland views into 21st century thought patterns. Australia so far behind from the rest of the world & unfortunately living in Queensland is worse. I still have difficulty comprehending how backward we are. And people your discriminatory views of gays & lesbians do contribute to this country's mental health crisis...or don't you care. This nation is still victimising minority groups.

Comment 18 of 20

Melissa Posted at 7:02 AM August 15, 2013

Why can't we have a better education system and marriage equality? Why does one have to negate the other?

Comment 19 of 20

am Posted at 7:10 AM August 15, 2013

Labor definitely lost my vote and that of my friends and family over this. We have always admired the Party's resolve under Julia Gillard even under intense pressure from the greens.

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